Erythromycin Therapy Twice Daily for Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Oral therapy with erythromycin estolate twice daily was compared with the following: oral therapy with erythromycin four times daily, penicillin G phenoxymethyl four times daily, and intramuscular administration of penicillin benzathine. In 153 patients (including 128 children) with group A streptococcal pharyngitis, the bacteriologic cure rates were 94%, 91% and 94%, respectively, with the first three regimens, and 97% with penicillin benzathine. Erythromycin given orally twice daily appeared to be as effective as the other oral regimens studied.